More Aboriginal people live in Canada's cities than on reserves or remote parts of the country. Several generations have grown in relative silence until recent years when the Aboriginal community and governments began in earnest to focus on their Urban Aboriginal issues and needs. This forum is here for you to provide useful and creative information to help address those needs. Let's share what works, not just what's wrong.

It is very apparent that the intensive work underway in Canada's urban Aboriginal communities to coordinate policies and develop the efficient delivery of services, has had an influence on a blueprint for healing Canada's urban ills issued by a federal government urban task force.

The Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues released its final report Canada's Urban Strategy - A Blueprint For Action.

Among its recommendations "Giving special consideration to the critical need for housing among the urban aboriginal community. Linking housing targets to policies through an /urban lens/ as a direct impact of federal legislation. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy could be used as a model for interdepartmental groupings"

Part of the group's mandate included placing special emphasis on the specific needs and circumstances of at risk populations such as urban Aboriginal people, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities and the homeless.

Earlier this year it issued an interim report with recommendations that included " Review the policy and planning process for funding of programs for urban Aboriginal people, and develop a more collaborative and coordinated approach with other orders of government to strategically fund and better deliver services and programs to Aboriginal people in urban areas. Partner with other orders of government and community Aboriginal groups to find ways to lower poverty levels, provide employment opportunities and expand the stock of affordable housing for urban Aboriginal population, especially among youth. Work with our urban partners to increase the number of pilot projects in selected urban centres as currently included in the Urban Aboriginal Strategy. Encourage cooperation between Urban Reserves and surrounding urban regions. Examine current policies and develop ways to target the special needs of the urban Aboriginal population, including Metis and non-Status Indians. Strengthen educational supports, in cooperation with First Nations, Metis and non-status Indians at post secondary levels to better meet the needs of Aboriginal peoples in urban centres."

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Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues Releases Final Report - Presents a Blueprint for Action
Click here for a full copy of the report (PDF format)

Ottawa (November 19, 2002) - The Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues today called for the Government of Canada to act on its commitment and implement an Urban Strategy for Canada.

Responding to the 2002 Throne Speech in which the Government of Canada committed to "a new urban strategy", Chair, Judy Sgro, MP (York West), said, "The Task Force congratulates the Government of Canada and continues to move this agenda forward through this Blueprint for Action that provides mechanisms to implement Canada’s Urban Strategy. We are calling for the Government of Canada to assign a Minister to be responsible for developing the Strategy and to put into action those measures that will ensure our urban regions have a sound foundation for future growth and prosperity."

Building on existing Government of Canada’s investments, the Final Report refines the recommendations from the Interim Report for three priority programs as pillars of Canada’s Urban Strategy: a National Affordable Housing Program; a National Sustainable Infrastructure Program; and a National Transit/Transportation Program.

Vice chair, Dr. Bernard Patry MP, (Pierrefonds-Dollard) said, "As a government, we have the moral obligation to ensure that all Canadians have access to decent and affordable housing. To achieve this, we must take the initiative and work with all partners in both the private and public sectors."

"Canada’s urban regions are centres of the new economy, innovation, and wealth," said Ms Sgro. "The Task Force recognizes that in order to compete successfully in the global knowledge-based economy, urban regions need the tools to guide them into the 21st century. They must also continue to be on the leading edge of sustainable cities initiatives that will realize their full potential."

Alberta Senator, Hon. Tommy Banks, Vice-chair of the Task Force, stated, "We are hopeful that this report will help lead to a new synergy among all orders of government, so that our urban regions will become models for the world."

Sgro noted that, "whilst this final report concludes the mandate of the Task Force, this Blueprint for Action marks the beginning of the next stage in the federal commitment to an urban agenda that will create the ‘Canada We Want’, the message from the Throne Speech."